Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Benedictine abbey

Coat of arms
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Coordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W / 49.02°N 0.03°W / 49.02; -0.03Coordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W / 49.02°N 0.03°W / 49.02; -0.03
Country France
Region Normandy
Department Calvados
Arrondissement Lisieux
Canton Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
Intercommunality Trois Rivières
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Jack Thézard
Area1 9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 3,623
 • Density 370/km2 (970/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 14654 / 14170
Elevation 23–74 m (75–243 ft)
(avg. 32 m or 105 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.

The abbey church was rebuilt in the 12th century and 13th centuries and restored and modified in the 16th and 17th centuries, replacing the former abbey church built in 1011 by William the Conqueror's aunt, Countess Lesceline. The church was entirely restored in the 16th century. By that time it got its general current appearance: a long main nave with two aisles and five radiating chapels, in the Gothic style. The Abbey is celebrating its millennial year throughout 2011.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19623,356—    
19683,765+12.2%
19754,274+13.5%
19824,506+5.4%
19903,993−11.4%
19993,977−0.4%
20083,623−8.9%

Events

Weekly open-air market every Monday morning in the square which surrounds the 11th-century market hall. Cattle market every Monday in the market square. About a hundred calves are sold to the breeders every week as well as sheep, pigs and some goats. There is also an antiques market the first Sunday of each month at the Halles.

Sights

The Protective Botanical Garden collects old varieties of flowers and vegetables.

International relations

The following table shows towns twinned with the commune.

Flag Country Town Location
Belgium Belgium Jodoigne Walloon Brabant
United Kingdom United Kingdom Ivybridge Devon
Germany Germany Kleinwallstadt Lower Franconia

See also

References

    External links

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